Fostering Inclusion – Support for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth in Out-of-Home Care

Some estimates suggest that 2SLGBTQ+ youth may represent 30%+ of youth in out-of-home care. Many face discrimination, stigma, biases and systemic barriers, especially those with intersecting marginalized identities, and/or are trans or gender diverse. This can result in mental health challenges, suicidality, isolation, behavioural challenges, low engagement, vulnerability to trafficking, running away, and frequent placement breakdowns. Participants will learn to create safe(r), inclusive spaces; engage 2SLGBTQ+ young people; and integrate evidence-informed, strength-based strategies to reduce risks and support their identities and ability to thrive.

 

Group registration available. See below for details. 

Description

In this training, participants will examine organizational strategies specific to out-of-home care facilities to build safe(r), inclusive environments and remove barriers at leadership/governance climate/environment and service planning levels. Practice opportunities are provided for skill-building in a foster/group care context to promote health, well-being and positive outcomes for diverse 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Participants will learn how to affirm 2SLGBTQ+ identities, create safe(r) inclusive homes, reduce risks and support their unique needs, including gender transition and intersecting identities. Gender/sexual identity will be discussed using an intersectional, anti-oppression, decolonizing lens in relation to other identity dimensions, including race, Indigeneity, culture, ability (including developmental) and newcomer status.

This interactive session will be facilitated by a queer trailblazer in gender/sexual equity work in the child welfare system. The trainer will identify sources and manifestations of identity-related trauma for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, risk factors, positive factors and practical strategies to promote safety, health, wellbeing and positive outcomes for youth to thrive.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Examine the challenges, barriers and risks faced by diverse 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth. 
  2. Recognize the signs of identity-based trauma when caring for these youth in family-based or group environments.
  3. Discuss what factors contribute to health, well-being and positive outcomes for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
  4. Learn and practice effective strategies to engage, support and affirm diverse 2SLGBTQ+ youth in care-based settings.
  5. Review organizational strategies for foster/group care that support 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and reduce hetero-cisnormative barriers.

Who Should Attend 

This course is recommended for Foster and group caregivers who care for children and youth; and out-of-home care providers, including supervisors, managers and administrators. Staff and managers from other organizations who serve youth in non-caregiving roles will also find this course valuable.

Course Dates & Format 

There are no scheduled dates for this course at this time, however in-service is available.

This is a 6-hour training. This course consists of two 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.

Instructor:  

Lorraine Gale, MSW, RSW

Lorraine Gale (she/her) is an openly queer social worker in Tkaronto (Toronto) with specialized expertise in supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system at direct service and systemic levels. She led SOGIE* work at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto for 28 years, initiating and supporting 2SLGBTQ+ systems change through the development of policies, practice guides, resources, case consultation, research, capacity-building, education and celebration.

Lorraine founded and led an Ontario-wide child welfare initiative to develop an organizational self-assessment tool for Indigenous wellbeing and child welfare agencies to assess their capacity to effectively support 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth and families. This initiative supported agencies to develop SOGIE work-plans and led to multi-year government funding for systems change to better serve 2SLGBTQ+ youth. 

Lorraine developed and authored CAS-Toronto’s Out and Proud Affirmation Guidelines (2012) and the Expanding the Circle SOGIE Framework (2024), both ground-breaking guides to support safe(r), inclusive, affirming and equitable child welfare practices for serving diverse 2SLGBTQ+ youth. She is a researcher on the Trans Youth CAN! team.

* SOGIE – Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Training Fee

Member Fee: $195.00 + $25.35 (HST) = $220.35

Non-Member Fee:  $235.00 + $30.55 (HST)= $265.55

Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fee with group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.

Continuing Education Information 

Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate. 

In-Service 

This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.

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